Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe

CCJPZ is a Commission of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The Commission is affiliated to the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace in Rome and has active contact with Commissions in other countries.

Why is there a Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe?
CCJPZ is a Commission of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The Commission is affiliated to the Pontifical Commission for Justice and Peace in Rome and has active contact with Commissions in other countries.

What is the policy for recruitment of members? Membership is open to any who wish to make a real contribution to the work of the Commission.

What are the terms of reference of the Commission? To help implement the Gospel, whose message of liberation and hope is directed more specifically to the poor. Particular reference is made to the local context in the application of the Church’s social teaching.

What is the need for such a Commission in Zimbabwe? There are four main reasons:

for the local Church to actively give witness to this concern for justice and peace

for the laity to see that the Church is working for justice and peace

to educate both laity and clergy to the responsibilities of acting as Christians in the world

for the Church to make positive suggestions for the enactment of just civil laws and their impartial administration; this needs the full involvement of all citizens of goodwill

5. What are the aims of the Commission?

to inform people’s consciences; to make people aware of their rights and duties as citizens

to encourage love, understanding and harmony through the promotion of the Church’s social teaching

to investigate allegations of injustice which it considers to merit attention, and to take appropriate action

to keep in contact with other organisations with similar aims and objectives

to advise the Bishop’s Conference on the human rights situation pertaining from time to time

6. How is this done? By holding workshops and seminars in conjunction with its Regional Offices and Diocesan Committees; by publications, and articles in the press; participating in meetings or seminars organised by other groups, and by carrying out research.

7. Is the Commission concerned only with justice and the law? No. The Church must assure itself that all the laws in this country are just. But an important task for the Commission is to encourage people to live their lives in greater awareness of Christian justice, to act justly to each other on an individual basis, and to work for a more just society.

8. Does the Commission go to court in cases of injustice? Yes. It undertakes deserving cases involving unlawful arrest and detention or other abuses of human rights. It does not fund private actions between individuals.

9. Can any individual make representation to the Commission? Individuals are encouraged to bring situations and cases of official injustice to the notice of their Parish Councils, Diocesan Committees or Regional Offices. It is left to the National Commission to decide to which cases it is able to apply its limited resources.

10. Where are the Commissions offices in Zimbabwe? Apart from the National Office in Harare, and Regional Offices in Bulawayo and Mutare, there is a Justice and Peace Committee in each diocese with sub-committees at deanery and parish level.